Ladder.



PATENTED DEC. 5, 1905.

E. G. MITCHELL.

LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2a, 1903.

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(9 lgozvfory l r eAn orge ys UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1905.

Application filed November 28, 1903. Serial No. 183,046.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE G. MITCHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Loango, in the county of (lovington and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Ladder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ladders, but particularly to flexible ladders belonging to that class which are capable of being easily folded and transported without inconvenience.

One of the objects of the invention is to providea cheap, durable, and efficient construction of ladder which may be formed of a single piece of material, and stitched so as to have sufficient strength to Withstand any strain to which it would ordinarily be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cheap, durable, and efficient ladder which may be stored within a minimum amount of space when not in use.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be specifically described hereinafter, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without materially departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank for the ladder. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the ladder before the sides are twisted. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. A is a cross-sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the ladder.

In the present embodiment of the invention the ladder is shown as comprising a web or suitable fabric 1, having a plurality of successively H-shaped slits 2 and 2, which are in longitudinal alinement, so as to form flexible tongues 3 and 4, .bendable upon the intermediate adjacent portion 5 to provide rounds. The sides 6 and 7 are provided with longitudinal folds to constitute thickened portions to be grasped in descending the ladder, and these folds are secured by successively passing one end of the ladder through the loops 8, formed by the bent tongues 3 and 4. The intertwisting of the sides will not only add thickness thereto, but the entire ladder will be strengthened without in any way interfering with the proper folding of the device when it is not in use.

In practice the web can be made of asbestos fabric, so that in the event that it is employed as a fire-escape the ladder will be fireproof.

It will be obvious that the ladder can be cheaply constructed and easily set up.

In order that the ladder may be easily attached to an overhanging part of the building, I provide books 9 in the ends of the side portions, which can conveniently consist of a bendable shank 10, having a terminal curved portion, an intermediate loop 11, and a ter minal head fitting through the loop, whereby the hook will be secured to the ladder. Other forms of hooks may be employed, if desired.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A blank for a ladder, comprising a web having a plurality of H-shaped slits cut tl1erein, whereby oppositely-disposed tongues are provided to fold on the intervening adjacent portions of the web between the slits to provide ladder-rounds.

2. Aweb ladder having a longitudinal series of transverse openings defining opposite longitudinal sides and integral connectingrounds, the sides being twisted to stilfen the same.

3. A web ladder having a longitudinal series of transverse openings defining longitudinal sides and integral connecting-rounds, the sides being folded and then twisted to stiffen the same.

4:. A ladder having longitudinally-folded, twisted sides, connecting portions and oppositely-disposed flexible tongues bent upon the connecting portions to provide rounds.

5. A flexible ladder composed of a single piece of material and formed with twisted sides and transverse connecting-rounds.

6. A flexible ladder formed of a single piece of material having tongues cleft therefrom and folded to form integral rounds, the sides of the material being folded longitudinally and passed successively through the openings between the rounds to form twisted sides.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE G. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

J. M. FENDLEY, HENRY MITCHELL. 

